CityU Tuition and Entrance Scholarships: Local Fees Frozen for 25 Years vs. Non-Local Jumping 20% in a Single Year
A figure frozen in 1997 stayed there until 2025, when it finally moved for the first time. The UGC-funded tuition fee for local undergraduates at City University of Hong Kong — and at all eight UGC-funded institutions — sat unchanged for twenty-seven years, while local consumer prices rose by roughly 40% over the same period. That freeze line only began to thaw with a modest three-year adjustment starting from the 2025/26 academic year. Meanwhile, non-local tuition can jump by 20% in a single year. This article covers undergraduate tuition fees and entrance scholarships at City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK). For a full deep dive into non-local fees, including the cost structure behind the "eye-watering" veterinary medicine premium, see Non-Local Tuition and the BVM Premium. For graduate destinations and experiential learning, see Graduate Outcomes, Starting Salaries and Experiential Learning.
Tuition figures are highly time-sensitive. The applicable academic years are noted throughout; always verify against the latest official announcements. All amounts are in Hong Kong dollars (HK$). Last updated: June 2026.
CityU's "money" flows in two opposing directions: one is what students pay in (tuition fees); the other is what the University pays out or the government subsidises (scholarships, government grants). Thanks to UGC funding, local students pay remarkably low tuition; non-local students bear almost the full cost themselves, and that cost rose sharply from 2025 onwards. This article proceeds in three layers: tuition fees, local entrance scholarships, and scholarships for mainland Chinese and international students.
1. Tuition Fees
1.1 Local Undergraduate Tuition — Frozen for a Quarter-Century, Then a Three-Year Adjustment from 2025
Local students at CityU (and at all eight UGC-funded institutions in Hong Kong) enrolled in UGC-funded programmes pay tuition set centrally by the government, which has long been far below the actual cost of provision.
| Student Category | Academic Year | Annual Tuition (HK$) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local (UGC-funded) | 1997/98 – 2024/25 | 42,100 | Standard government-set fee, frozen for over 20 years |
| Local (UGC-funded) | 2025/26 | 44,500 | Year 1 of the three-year adjustment |
| Local (UGC-funded) | 2026/27 | 47,000 | |
| Local (UGC-funded) | 2027/28 | 49,500 |
The figure "local students pay around HK$42,100 per year" refers precisely to that freeze line. On 20 June 2024, the Hong Kong government announced that tuition fees for UGC-funded programmes would be adjusted across three academic years — 2025/26 to 2027/28 — at an average annual increase of 5.5%※, rising from 42,100※ to 44,500, 47,000 and 49,500 respectively (per the HKSAR Government press release※, 20 June 2024).
This is a uniform government standard across all eight UGC-funded institutions; CityU local tuition fees are in the same band as those at CUHK, HKU, and elsewhere.
1.2 Non-Local / International Undergraduate Tuition — Sharp Increases
In contrast to local students, non-local students (international, self-funded mainland Chinese, etc.) taking the same programmes pay almost the full unsubsidised cost, which has been raised substantially from 2025:
| Student Category | Entry Cohort | Annual Tuition (HK$) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-local / International (undergraduate) | 2025/26 entry | 170,000 | Per CityU fees page historical figure |
| Non-local / International (undergraduate) | 2026/27 entry | 190,000※ | |
| Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (BVM) | 2026 entry | 392,000※ | Hong Kong's only veterinary undergraduate programme; fee far exceeds standard courses (cost structure detailed in the companion piece) |
Per the CityU Admissions Office fees page: non-local undergraduate tuition for the 2026/27 entry cohort is HK$190,000 per year; the Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (BVM) is HK$392,000 per year (per the CityU Fees and Scholarships page※). The CityU mainland China admissions page likewise states "Non-local student tuition fee (per annum) HK$190,000; Veterinary Medicine HK$392,000" (2026/27 figure, per the CityU Mainland Fees and Scholarships page※).
CityU also notes that UGC-funded programme fees are subject to annual government review; once set, the fee level for a given entry cohort remains fixed for the entire duration of that cohort's studies (tuition lock for non-local students' entry cohort).
2. Local Entrance Scholarships: Flagship, Institutional and Dean's — Three Tiers
CityU offers local first-year students the "CityU Scholarships for Hong Kong Talents". No separate application is required; awards are assessed automatically based on HKDSE, GCE A-Level or IB results and communicated alongside the offer. Most are renewable annually (subject to maintaining the required CGPA) and cover 4–6 years depending on programme length (per the CityU Scholarships page※). There are three main tiers:
2.1 Flagship Scholarships
| Level | Coverage |
|---|---|
| Full | 100% tuition + hall fees (twin room)※ |
| Half | 50% tuition + hall fees (twin room) |
| Exchange Bursary | One-off overseas exchange/research bursary of up to HK$500,000※ |
The Flagship Scholarships are the top tier, covering tuition and accommodation plus a substantial overseas exchange bursary; renewable for 4–6 years.
2.2 Institutional Scholarships — Based on Number of 5** Grades
| Qualification Threshold | Amount (per year) |
|---|---|
| 4 or more 5** grades | HK$66,000※ /year |
| 3 5** grades | HK$56,000 /year |
| 2 5** grades | HK$33,000 /year |
| Exchange component | One-off HK$25,000 |
This tier is what is colloquially known as the "top scorer award / 5** award" mechanism: the number of 5** grades in the HKDSE (the mark of a top performer) directly maps to the award amount. Students with 4 or more 5** grades receive HK$66,000 per year, plus a one-off HK$25,000 exchange bursary.
2.3 Dean's Scholarships
| Level | Amount (per year) |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | HK$89,000※ /year |
| Level 2 | HK$33,000 /year |
Dean's Scholarships are awarded by individual Colleges/Schools based on academic potential; renewable for 4–6 years.
The three tiers above are aimed at local first-year students with outstanding HKDSE, A-Level or IB results. They are automatically assessed and communicated with the offer. CityU does not list a "President's Scholarship" on this page as a separate entrance scholarship entry. Within CityU's local entrance scholarship system, the offerings are presented under the Flagship / Institutional / Dean's tiers. No standalone "President's Scholarship" entrance award title was found → marked as not found here (if referring to postgraduate or other specific schemes, refer to the official website).
3. Entrance Scholarships for Mainland Chinese and International Students
3.1 Mainland Gaokao Entrance Scholarships (by Provincial Rank)
CityU offers several tiers of entrance scholarships for mainland gaokao entrants. No separate application is required; awards are assessed automatically based on results (per the CityU Mainland Fees and Scholarships page※):
| Award | Provincial/Municipal/Regional Rank Threshold | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Full Scholarship | Top ≤ 0.1% in the examination cohort | Renewable full tuition waiver + up to HK$60,000 living allowance |
| Full Tuition Scholarship | Top > 0.1% and ≤ 1% | Renewable full tuition waiver |
| Half Tuition Scholarship | Top > 1% and ≤ 1.5% | Renewable half tuition waiver |
Ranking is calculated against the total number of candidates in the respective "Arts/History" or "Science/Physics" gaokao stream. All tiers require "excellent" English results. Scholarships are renewable (4-year programme / 5-year double degree / 6-year BVM), subject to maintaining minimum academic performance. The colloquial "top scorer scholarship" corresponds to the "Full Scholarship" tier (ranked within the top 0.1% province-wide).
3.2 International Student Entrance Scholarship Scheme (Three Tiers)
CityU's "International Student Entrance Scholarship Scheme" is for outstanding international students admitted to full-time government-funded bachelor's degree programmes. It is automatically assessed; no application is required (per the CityU International Entrance Scholarship page※):
| Tier | Coverage |
|---|---|
| Top Scholarship | Renewable full tuition waiver + up to HK$60,000 annual living allowance※ (approx. US$7,700, covering university accommodation and part of living costs) |
| Full Tuition Scholarship | Renewable full tuition waiver |
| Half Tuition Scholarship | Renewable half tuition waiver |
Renewal requires maintaining a minimum cumulative GPA (CGPA) each year. There is also a Diversity Grant: aimed at first-year students from underrepresented nationalities, offering approximately HK$30,000※ per year (approx. US$3,850), renewable subject to participation in volunteer service each year.
4. Government Financial Assistance and Bursaries (Local)
In addition to low tuition fees, local students facing financial hardship may apply for public funding through the Student Finance Office (SFAO) of the HKSAR Government, including the Tertiary Student Finance Scheme (TSFS) grants and non-means-tested loans. This is a universal mechanism across all eight UGC-funded institutions, applicable to CityU local students. For specific amounts and application details, refer to the government SFAO's announcements (this compendium has not itemised and verified every figure on a single CityU page → for this sub-item, the government SFAO is the definitive source).
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the tuition fees at City University of Hong Kong? A: For local students (UGC-funded), tuition was frozen at HK$42,100 per year for a long period (1997/98 to 2024/25). A three-year modest adjustment began from 2025/26: HK$44,500 in 2025/26, HK$47,000 in 2026/27, and HK$49,500 in 2027/28, an average annual increase of about 5.5%. For non-local/international undergraduates entering in 2026/27, tuition is HK$190,000 per year; the Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (BVM) is HK$392,000 per year.
Q: Why were CityU tuition fees (local) frozen for so long? A: A government press release disclosed that this fee level had been maintained since the 1997/98 academic year, during which time the Composite Consumer Price Index rose by about 40%. The cost recovery ratio for UGC-funded programmes was projected to fall to around 12.5% by 2024/25. The aim of the three-year adjustment is to bring it back to approximately 13.4% by 2027/28 — meaning tuition covers only just over a tenth of the actual cost; the rest is publicly funded.
Q: Does City University of Hong Kong offer any tuition discounts or waivers? A: CityU offers local first-year students the "CityU Scholarships for Hong Kong Talents". No separate application is required; awards are assessed automatically based on HKDSE/A-Level/IB results. This covers three tiers: Flagship (up to 100% tuition plus hall fees), Institutional (based on number of 5** grades, with those achieving 4 or more receiving HK$66,000 per year), and Dean's (Level 1 at HK$89,000 per year). Most are renewable for 4–6 years. Mainland gaokao entrants are eligible for full or half tuition scholarships based on provincial rank, and international students have a separate three-tier scholarship scheme plus a Diversity Grant.
Q: How are tuition and scholarships calculated for mainland Chinese and international students applying to CityU? A: Non-local student (including self-funded mainland and international) undergraduate tuition is calculated on a completely different basis from local fees and is locked by entry cohort. For the 2026/27 entry cohort, it is HK$190,000 per year (HK$392,000 for BVM), and this rate applies for the entire duration of their studies. Mainland gaokao candidates ranked in the top 0.1% of their examination stream in their province may receive a full tuition waiver plus up to HK$60,000 living allowance. International students on the Top Scholarship also receive a renewable full tuition waiver plus up to HK$60,000 annual living allowance.
Q: On what cycle are CityU tuition fees adjusted, and is it the same for local and non-local students? A: No, it is different. Local tuition fees are adjusted by academic year (different rates for 2025/26, 2026/27, 2027/28). Non-local tuition fees are locked by entry cohort — meaning a non-local student pays the rate set for their year of entry for all four years, regardless of subsequent fee adjustments for later cohorts. These two mechanisms should not be conflated when making comparisons.
Data Reliability and Gaps
- Confirmed official data: Local tuition fees (42,100 → 44,500/47,000/49,500) with the 5.5% increase and cost recovery ratio (Government press release); non-local tuition (170,000 / 190,000, BVM 392,000) with the "entry cohort lock" (CityU fees page); Flagship/Institutional/Dean's scholarship amounts (CityU scholarships page); the three-tier mainland entrance scholarships with provincial rank thresholds, and the three-tier international scholarships plus Diversity Grant (CityU official pages).
- Marked as "not found": A standalone "President's Scholarship" entrance award title (CityU's local entrance awards are presented under the Flagship/Institutional/Dean's tiers; no separate President's entrance award entry was found); the itemised amounts for TSFS and other government financial assistance (refer to the government SFAO).
- Academic year label reminder: Local tuition is adjusted by academic year; non-local tuition is locked by entry cohort. These are different metrics; always check the year label when comparing.
Sources
- HKSAR Government Press Release — Three-year adjustment of UGC-funded university tuition fees (official, 20 June 2024; 42,100/44,500/47,000/49,500, 5.5%, cost recovery ratio): https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202406/20/P2024062000254.htm
- CityUHK Admission — Fees and Scholarships (official; non-local 190,000, BVM 392,000, entry cohort lock): https://www.cityu.edu.hk/admo/fees-and-scholarships
- CityU Scholarships for Hong Kong Talents (official; Flagship/Institutional/Dean's scholarship amounts): https://www.cityu.edu.hk/scholarship/
- CityUHK Admission — Entrance Scholarship for International Students (official; three-tier international scholarships + Diversity Grant): https://www.cityu.edu.hk/admo/entrance-scholarship-international-students
- CityU Mainland Admissions — Fees and Scholarships (official; three-tier mainland entrance scholarships, non-local tuition): https://www.cityu.edu.hk/mainland/scholarship_admission
See Also
- Non-Local Tuition and the BVM Premium — Full picture of year-on-year non-local tuition increases and the cost structure of veterinary education
- Graduate Outcomes, Starting Salaries and Experiential Learning — GES employment surveys, GREAT, internship networks
- Local JUPAS/Non-JUPAS admissions: undergraduate-admissions.md
- Mainland unified admissions/independent recruitment and international admissions: nonlocal-mainland-international.md
- Programme catalogue and JS codes: programme-catalogue.md · part 2
Criteria for Subsequent Updates
This article currently focuses on a summary of local/non-local tuition fees and local/mainland/international entrance scholarships. The deep dive into non-local tuition, graduate destinations, and experiential learning has been split into companion pieces (see "See Also" above). Fee information must be reviewed year by year: every subsequent update must clearly state the academic year — e.g., 2025/26 or 2026/27 — and distinguish between local, non-local, mainland, international, and programme-specific rates. Future updates should only incorporate material from three categories into the main text: first, primary sources such as the university's official website, annual reports, school/department websites, and regulatory or ranking bodies; second, verifiable facts from credible media, student media, or public archives; third, public timelines that explain institutional changes. Single screenshots, undated rumours, ranking slogans whose origin cannot be located, or personal assessments may only serve as leads for verification and must not be written into the text as established facts.